Quarterback duel

AVON LAKE — The future of the Cleveland Browns dwells in the cities of Avon and Avon Lake. Brady Quinn, the recently drafted quarterback out of Notre Dame, officially made Avon Lake his home after purchasing a Britannia Estates property on June 15. Charlie Frye, last season’s starting quarterback, and the man many believe Quinn will have to beat out for the job, lives just five miles down the road in Avon. While fans may already be picking sides, leave it to former Browns player and current Avon restaurant owner Al “Bubba” Baker to explain the draw. “The attraction to the Avon and Avon Lake area is that it still has its southern country type atmospheres,” he said. “If you’re leaving from an event from downtown (Cleveland), it gives you the sense that you’re going back to your rural home.” Avon Mayor Jim Smith admitted he hasn’t watched the Browns since the infamous “Red Right 88” play in 1980, but the former season ticket holder said the proximity of the two cities makes the area one players look to when buying a home. “I think time has a lot to do with it,” he said. “We’re only 19 minutes from downtown Cleveland.” Quinn shelled out $700,000 for the property at 32388 Regency Court, according to the county Auditor’s Web site. The 4,500-square-foot home was built in 1989, has four bedrooms, three full baths and 10 total rooms. The house was appraised for $595,800. The auditor’s office still hadn’t received the assessment for Charlie Frye’s home, but it sits near the 13th hole in the subdivision of the Red Tail Golf Course. He bought the land for $130,000 in 2006. As the official fan club president of the Avon Lake Browns Backers, Charlie Beedle can’t wait to see his new neighbor, Quinn, around town, but doesn’t intend on paying a visit anytime soon. “I don’t need the police to arrest me for stalking,” he said. Contact Steve Szucs at 329-7129 or sszucs@chroniclet.com.